Comparison of macrophage scavenger receptor-A knockout mice with wild type ones in the immune response against repeated infestation with Haemaphysalis longicornis

Using macrophage scavenger receptor-A knockout (SRKO) mice, we examined the role of macrophage class A scavenger receptors (MRS-A) on the immune response and acquisition of host resistance against repeated infestation with Haemaphysalis longicornis. Except for one batch of nymphs that infested one of the SRKO (SR-/-) mice and showed no appreciable reduction in body weight, all the other groups of nymphs manifested significant decrease in body weight. Both SR-/- and wild type (SR+/+) mice showed a sustained increase in anti-tick antibody titers, but SR+/+ mice showed significantly higher titers. The IFN-gamma assayed in SR-/- mouse immune sera was substantially less compared with that in SR+/+ mice. Immune sera from SR-/- and SR+/+ mice recognized the 51 and 44 kDa, and 44 kDa proteins, respectively, of the salivary gland antigen. The difference in the level of anti-tick resistance manifested by both groups of mice may be influenced by less efficient trapping and processing of tick antigens by macrophages in mice lacking for the macrophage scavenger receptors, and consequently affected the cascade of Th1 and Th2 responses. We have thus obtained valuable data that strongly infer the role of MSR-A in enhancing host defense against repeated infestation with H. longicornis.     

Evaluation of hyperimmune sera against goat pox viral antigens

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Hydraulic characteristics of conventionally and zero-tilled field plots

A silage corn crop was grown on field plots entering their 2nd-year cycle of zero tillage, and on control plots representing traditional tillage practices. Concurrent measurements of soil matric suction and water content were made under transient conditions of a draining profile without evaporation. The results indicated some similarity in the soil moisture characteristics of the untilled soils which produced high crop yields. The time rate of change of soil water content, the root extraction rate and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were always smaller in the zero-tilled plots than in the conventionally tilled plots.     

Detection of goat pox antigen and antibody by the counter immunoelectrophoresis test

Summary The counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) test was standardised for the detection of goat pox antigen and antibody using inactivated antigens. The chloroform inactivated and live antigens were equally sensitive for detection of goat pox precipitins. The precipitinogens of goat pox virus (GPV) were found to be soluble in nature. The CIE test was quick as well as more sensitive than the agar gel precipitation test for detection of GPV antibody/antigen. The CIE employing inactivated antigen has been used for the first time in the detection of GPV antibodies/antigens.

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Deteccion Del Antigeno Y Anticuerpos De Viruela Caprina Mediate La Prueba De Contrainmunoelectroforesis

Resumen Se estandarizó la prueba de contrainmunoelectroforesis, para la detección del antígeno y anticuerpos del virus de la viruela caprina, usando antígenos inactivados. El antígeno inactivado con cloroformo y el antígeno vivo, fueron igualmente sensitivos para la detección de precipitinas de viruela caprina. Los precipitógenos del virus de la viruela caprina se encontraron que eran solubles. La prueba de contrainmunoelectroforesis fue más rápida y más sensitiva que la precipitación agar gelatina para la detección de anticuerpos/antígenos del virus de la viruela caprina. La prueba de contrainmunoelectroforesis con antígeno inactivado ha sido utilizada por vez primera en la detección de anticuerpos/antígenos del virus de la viruela caprina.

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Detection De l'Antigene Et De l'Anticorps Variole Caprine Par Un Test De Contrimmuno-Electrophorese

Résumé Le test de contrimmuno-électrophorèse (CIE) a été standardisé pour la détection de l'antigène et de l'anticorps variole caprine avec des antigènes inactivés. Les antigènes vivants et inactivés par le chloroforme sont de sensibilité équivalente pour la détection des précipitines variole caprine. On a montré que ces précipitogènes du virus variole caprine (VVC) étaient de nature soluble. Le CIE est rapide et plus sensible que le test de précipitation en gélose pour la détection des antigènes et anticorps VVC. C'est la première fois que le CIE mettant en oeuvre un antigène inactivé a été utilisé.

     

Genetic resources of rice in the Western Himalayan region of India: current status

The Western Himalayan region of India possesses rich genetic diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice landraces having withstood the rigors of biotic and abiotic stresses, suit to the local conditions of farms and reflect socio-cultural preferences can still be found in crop fields located distantly in rural and tribal areas. This region is known for growing World fame basmati in the foot hills and many varieties of red rices grown at higher elevations, known for cold tolerance and medicinal properties. Genetic resources of rice were collected for about 8 years (1999–2006) and 1069 germplasm accessions including 154 named landraces were collected. Prominent landraces such as Begumi, Ramjwain, Thapachini, Naurang, Hansraj, Tilakchandan, Lalsati, Jhini, Mushakbudji, Jattoo, Barpasso, Qadirbeigh, Safedbrez, Shahie known for their special quality attributes were collected. The change in land use, cropping patterns and aggressive introduction of modern varieties in the region has resulted in the loss of a large number of landraces especially from irrigated lands. The present paper looks at the status of rice genetic resources, genetic variability, genetic erosion and future strategies to conserve rice germplasm on farm and to maximize its use in rice breeding.     

On-farm status of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genetic resources in Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand,India

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the three major food crops of the world and India is the largest rice growing country accounting for about one-third of the world average under the crop. Rice is being cultivated in Northern India since ca 2000 BC as evident from archaeological studies. A total of 103 traditional varieties of rice collected from interior parts, during the study period. The present study was designed with the aim to document the rice diversity and its socio-economic and cultural importance for local farming communities of Garhwal Himalaya in Central Himalayan Region. For collection of information 324 households from 116 villages in the study area were sampled. The study revealed different agro-eco-niches of the study area, traditional processing pathways, socio-economic and cultural development, diversity available, factors responsible for erosion/replacement of diversity, aesthetic values and specialized food quality of local rice varieties etc. The number of rice varieties grown and available for cultivation in ten valleys of Garhwal Himalaya were documented so as these can be utilized and conserved for research and development in the future.     

Biological parameters of the endangered fish Chitala chitala (Osteoglossiformes: Notopteridae) from some Indian rivers

Age, growth and maturity data of the freshwater feather back Chitala chitala (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) were collected from ten different geographical locations. Out of ten populations, maximum 6+ ages were recorded from four river basins namely river Bhagirathi, Koshi, Saryu and Ganga and the back calculated lengths at 6+ ages ranged from 1033.36–1073.63 mm. In rest of the locations, however, only 3+ age classes were recorded. Specific rate of linear growth (C_l) and specific rate of weight increase (C_w) showed decreases except in two locations. The specific rate of linear growth (C_l) and the specific rate of weight increase (C_w) increased at 3+ age class in the river Bhagirathi. Among other growth parameters, three distinct life stages of C. chitala were observed based on analysis of growth constant data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the back-calculated length data of 10 populations indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05). Out of ten populations studied, six showed significant variation of growth in 1+ age class and two showed significant variation in 2+ to 6+ age classes. Length-weight relationship of the species from all the population was calculated and the coefficient of correlation (r) was at the significant level where the value of ‘b’ was almost 3 for all the locations studied. Male C. chitala attained maturity earlier (2+ age) whereas females matured at age 3+. The percentages of mature individuals also varied between river basins. Based on this study strategies can be proposed for sustainable exploitation of the species from wild populations.